Bengaluru: The move to bring back the 160-year-old Kumara Krupa guest house in the Prime Minister DK ShivakumarThe official residence has received widespread criticism from the city’s historians, with many calling for the building to be turned into a museum, which will eventually ensure that the space is preserved for posterity.
Kumara Krupa was originally the private residence of K Sheshadri Iyer, Dewan of Mysore from 1883 to 1901 and a key figure in the transformation of Bengaluru into a modern city.
Widely regarded as the ‘creator of modern Bengaluru’, Sheshadri Iyer spearheaded several landmark initiatives, including the city’s water supply from Hesaraghatta, the Shivanasamudra hydroelectric project and the development of Basavanagudi and Malleswaram, among other projects.
“The property has already suffered enough damage from operating as a guest house. Ideally, the property should not be renovated to accommodate the new prime minister nor should it continue as a guest house. Instead, it should be converted into a museum. A memorial space that pays tribute to the life of K Sheshadri,” said historian Suresh Moona, adding that any such renovation would adversely affect her personal preferences. property value. The Kumara Krupa Inn was built in 1856 and some additional rooms were added in 1960. There are a total of 12 rooms in the Inn.
“Kumara Krupa sites are historic. There is evidence that Mahatma Gandhi spent time in these grounds when he visited Bengaluru. The site should pay tribute to the important history the area has witnessed in the form of a museum. Not just the stone structure but the entire area should be preserved from any form of privatization and commercialization,” said history scholar Arun Praad.
According tofreports, on May 30 and 31, just days before he was sworn in as chief minister, Shivakumar inspected the hostel and ordered “immediate renovation work”.
Prasad said any damage to property would prompt protests. “Over a decade ago, Bengalurus had come together to protest the demolition of Balabrooie guesthouse. If necessary, we will do the same for Kumara Krupa. Such a building should never be renovated, only restored if necessary,” he said.
Meera Iyer, convener of Bengaluru chapter of INTACH, said f“If the building is being renovated, ideally a body like INTACH or some other firm working in the conservation space should be consulted. There are a handful of buildings like Kumara Krupa, which have a feature unique to Bengaluru – stone structure. These have an emphasis on ornamentation, which consciously projects a very Indian architecture and needs to preserve such an Indian look.” Dewan’s erstwhile family, currently in Bengaluru, has also raised objections to the current renovations.
